Reference Layers

Reference layers are ideal when you want files to be accessible and referenced across multiple jobs. Unlike File Imports that exist at the job level, Reference Layers are stored in the database and can be loaded into multiple jobs with different access control options.

To create a Reference Layer, access the Model Editor and open the model where you want to create the layer. The file should be a Shapefile (zipped or unzipped, containing .shp, .dbf, and .prj files with point geometry) or a CSV file, which must contain "latitude" and "longitude" columns at minimum with valid EPSG:4326 coordinates. These files should be less than 10MB in size.

When creating a reference layer, you'll see different options depending on whether you're working in the default model or another model. In a model other than the default, you will see three options: Model (Public), Model (Private), and Company.

• Model (Public) layers are visible to all users who have access to jobs using that model, inside or outside your company. This is useful for layers that should be widely accessible to anyone working with that specific model.

• Model (Private) layers are only visible to users inside your company and any other company to whom you grant specific permission. When using this option, you will be prompted to grant companies access to the layer, giving you control over external visibility.

• Company layers can only be accessed via the default model and will be greyed out in non-default models. These layers can be accessed only by users in your company, but are available for all jobs you own, regardless of the model being used. This provides company-wide access while maintaining internal security.

After creating a reference layer in the Model Editor, you'll be able to add or remove properties, change the map styles, or adjust the advanced settings for the layer. Once saved, the reference layer is stored in the database and ready to be used across jobs based on your chosen access control setting.

To load a Reference Layer to your current job, go to "Manage Layers" under "Imported Layers" in the Map Layers panel. The "Manage Map Layers" window will appear, and under the "Reference Layers" section, you'll find any reference layers stored in the database in the dropdown menu. Choose the layer(s) you want to include in the job. From the "Imported Layers" section in the Map Layers, you can turn the reference layer(s) on and off or make them selectable or not selectable as needed.